The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 175: A Warm Welcome

Seeing I entered the fort, the soldiers that fell on their butts stood up and tried to stop me.

They probably remembered their job as a soldier huh.

However, the moment they stood up, they staggered and stopped.

Its better not to overdo it. I have increased the concentration of magic power here. Those who are not used to magic power wont be able to endure it.

Even if its just a little, everyone has magic power inside them. Only a few people can project that power outside to produce magic.

These few become mages, excellent adventurers, and knights. It is rare for ordinary people to be exposed to a large amount of magic power.

Now, the concentration of magic power I scattered is much higher than places that are said to be rich in magic power. It may be possible for those who are familiar with magic to stand it but for ordinary people, it would be hard to even stand.

W, Wait, Silver..

One of the soldiers crawls up to me and tries to grab my foot.

Nice guts he has there. But I can not afford to comply.

I walk out before the soldier grabs my foot.

Passing through the gate, I walked into an open area. In front of me is a group of bows carrying soldiers.

STOP! SILVER!

You are quite well trained huh.

Dozens of soldiers managed to gather with bows and arrows within only a few minutes huh.

The man who seems to be their captain is raising his arm. If he swings that hand down, the soldiers will probably shoot their arrows at me.

However, I do not stop walking.

Ugh! STOP! SILVER! This is a fort under command of the imperial army! Even if you are an SS-rank adventurer, you can not have your way here!

If you cant let me have my way then try to stop me. Rest assured. I will not fight back.

You bastard! Dont look down on us! FIRE!! Hes an SS-rank adventurer, he wont die from it!!

Saying so, the captain gave his order to shoot.

Dozens of arrows enter my vision. However, I kept on walking without worrying about it.

The arrows approach me but when it enters within a certain distance from my body, it loses all momentum and falls down.

The rain of arrows fell in front of me. As I looked at the scene before me, I spoke to them.

You underestimated me quite a bit huh. Do you think that something like this can stop an SS-rank adventurer?

Tsk! Magic huh! Surround him! He shouldnt be able to defend against it from all directions!

Saying so, the captain gave his order and reinforcements began to appear.

When the reinforcements took their position around me, the captain gave an order to fire arrows at me from all directions.

However, the result doesnt change. At a certain distance, the arrows simply lose their momentum and fall to the ground.

As they were shooting their arrows at me, the soldiers experienced the concentrated magic power and kneel down one after another.

I dont want you to call a child play like this a magic though.

A, Ahhh

Walking past the commander, I tap his shoulder. Its not particularly a strong tap but the captain collapses on the spot.

I was invading deeper inside but then a large soldier appeared in front of me. Behind him was a platoon of about ten soldiers.

They have an unfamiliar weapon in their hands.

It looks like a crossbow but it isnt a simple crossbow.

A circular tube was attached at the bottom of the crossbow and there is a small jewel embedded in the center of it.

The prototype weapon of the imperial army huh.

Dont move! Silver! Even if you can defend against ordinary bows, you will not leave unscathed with this!

I cant say that I can block it since it is a weapon I dont know but I think that it would be impossible to stop me with that you know?

Hmph! Know this! These are the [Prototype Magic Rotating Crossbows] that were used to battle against the demons in the south!!

In response to the command of the large soldier who should be their platoon leader, the soldiers behind him pulled and held down the triggers.

Doing so, the magic power contained inside the jewel released and constantly fired arrows at me.

The rotation of the cylinder attached at the bottom of the crossbow repeatedly reloaded the crossbow and allowed these crossbows a rapid-fire function.

The arrows that were fired at an unprecedented rate rapidly approaching me but the result is still the same. The arrows lose their momentum and fall. The only difference is the amount of dust that rises up as the arrows hit the ground.

Even seeing the risen dust, they didnt stop firing.

So wasteful. That weapon turned a jewel into a disposable item. They might think that I am a good guinea pig for their prototype weapon but this is just too reckless.

Did we do it!!??

Since it seems that your research was not enough, let me tell you this. No matter how prideful you are about that crossbow, the one who defeated the demons in the south was not the army using that weapon. It was me.

Un, Unscathed!?

Monsters, Demons, even a child knows which one is stronger. And I am stronger than a demon. Did you really think that such a weapon would even leave a scratch on me?

HIIIIIIII!!!??

As I walked toward them, they all threw down their crossbows and fell back.

That must have been their trump card huh. But as a trump card, those things are too weak.

While I was thinking so, I heard the sound of multiple horses galloping toward me.

All men, fall back!! We will take it from here!!

Cavalry!? Go get him!!

Thinking that they are saved, the platoon cheers for the cavalries.

Five men on horseback rush at me with lance in hands.

However, when I glanced at it, the horses suddenly halted.

Due to that, their riders were thrown into the air.

They might get injured if they land just like that so I lightly wave my right hand and catch them with a barrier.

It is shallow of you to think that approaching me would work when the long-range attack did not. Animals are more sensitive than humans. They wont plunge themselves at someone who they perceived as unbeatable unless you established a great deal of trust with them.

I lower the riders that were caught inside a barrier to the ground.

While doing so, over a hundred soldiers gathered around me.

They have swords with them so they are probably trying to resort to close-quarter combat here.

Just stop him! It would bring shame to our fort if words get out that a single man managed to breach it!

The commander holding up his sword to inspire his men.

However, the soldiers morale is low. Its written on their face that they think that it is impossible to stop me. Well, it is exactly the case so they might be the smarter one here huh.

However, being a soldier means that they have to obey the command from their superior.

And a reckless command to attack me was given.

CHARGE!!

The soldiers unwillingly approach me.

Blowing them away would be easy but it would be distasteful to hurt them.

Thinking so, I concentrated my magic power on my feet and instantly moved to the commanders side.

The commander froze up when he noticed my sudden presence.

Wha!?

Whats wrong? Arent you going to charge at me?

From behind my mask, I peer into the commanders eyes.

The commander couldnt move as if he was being stared down by a demon and fell down on the spot.

You gave quite a reckless command earlier. Why dont you lead your men by example then?

A, Ahhh.pl, please.

I am not planning to eat you or anything. I just advise you to think about your order. If you order them to recklessly come to attack me I will kill you. Keep that in mind.

Saying so, I pass by the commander and head inside.

There is no longer any soldier who tries to stop me. They all are staring at me from a distance away.

They should understand it. The fact that I can erase this fort from existence if I feel like it.

Since I am not doing that means that I am not hostile toward them. I simply want to see Gordon.

After a while, I reached the castle located at the center of the fort. This is probably the residence of the fort commander. Gordon probably lives here as well.

When thinking about such a thing, a big man jumped down from the castles window.

UOOAAHHH!!!!

The man loudly roars as he wields a large sword.

The sword that was swung down from above combined with the descending momentum approached me at tremendous speed. However, just like what happened to the arrows, he simply slowed down and stopped before me.

Lightly pushing the large sword to the side, I speak to the attacker.

Quite a warm welcome you have here, Prince Gordon.

You lowly adventurer!

Id like to thank you for coming out to meet me even though I am only a lowly adventurer. Even if you didnt come out here yourself, I would have come in to greet you though.

I rudely speak to Gordon.

Perhaps he hates my attitude, Gordon frowns.

Greeting? You bastard just broke in here.

You could say that. But it was your fault to turn me away at the gate. I did declare my visit here. You should be able to predict that I would do this right? Im the man who can casually enter the imperial sword castle you know?

While mocking him for his inability to predict this development, I took my eyes off Gordon and bowed to the man who appeared behind him.

Excuse me for the commotion. General.

No, no, that truly served as a good training for my men. My soldiers should be more alert from now on.

This person is the commander of this fort and the leader of the Northern Border Defense Force.

His name is Rohos. He is known to be a cool-headed general and was assigned to the northern border exactly because of his reputation. It could be said that Father was able to send Gordon here because he has that much trust in him.

You have business with General Gordon, correct? I will prepare a room for you.

You have my thanks.

Fortress Commander!!

Its a seed you sowed yourself. You must clean this up on your own. General Gordon.

I HAVENT DONE ANYTHING WRONG!!

That will be for Silver to decide.

Saying so, Rohos invites me in.

Gordon still looks bitter but he went inside the castle because he has no other choice.

Inside a room inside the castle, I and Gordon face each other.

Gordon is shutting his mouth with no intention to say anything.

Do you know the reason I came here?

no idea.

I see. Then let me tell you. Two children wandered into the battlefield while we were fighting the Spirit Turtle. Elna von Amsberg had to protect them and that put us at a disadvantage in the battle.

And how is that my fault?

It was the childrens testimony but they said they met a unit of the imperial army and were told to head to the forest.

..thats just a childs story.

Then I can just tell that to the Emperor right.

With the atmosphere that says, if that is your attitude then the talk is over, I open a transfer gate.

The Spirit Turtle subjugation was an important matter for the Empire. Any action that gets in the way of that is unforgivable. Gordon will lose the trust of the Emperor and wont be allowed to attend the upcoming anniversary ceremony.

He will be left to dry in the north. Even so, that doesnt mean that he is out of the succession war.

However, he will be left in the dust.

Thus, Gordon stood up and held me back.

Wait!

I thought that the talk was over though?

I also have something that I want to talk to you about. Hear me out.

I see.

My business is already over.

Gordon pulls me back to my seat with a bitter expression.

It was a humiliation for Gordon when he was assigned to the north. He probably doesnt want his stay to be prolonged.

.what is your aim?

Nothing. I will just report that children wandered into a battlefield because they were told so by the army.

. it was a reconnaissance unit I was leading. I did certainly say that they can rely on the unit in the forest for evacuation.

Hou? Without giving them any escort?

I just prioritized reporting to the main unit as a soldier.

You can just send out a messenger. If its the Emperor then he would insist on helping them you know?

..I want you to not mention this matter to Father.

Gordon quietly bowed his head.

I cant see it but I can imagine what kind of expression he has right now.

His voice is shaking. This is probably a humiliation for him huh.

However, the crime of neglecting the lives of the people can not be forgiven with just that.

I cant simply do that.

I AM ALREADY BOWING MY HEAD YOU KNOW!?

Do you think that your head has that much worth?

When I threw ridicule at Gordon, he stood up and reached for his sword as though he couldnt stand it anymore.

But I am not moving.

There is an absolute power gap between me and Gordon. If he wants to resort to violence then he is welcome to try.

Solving your problem with violence. If that is how you live then you will be left behind in the succession war. Have you forgot that the person in front of you is an SS-rank adventurer?

Kuh..!!

If you draw your sword then I will take it as a breakdown in the negotiation. What do you want to do?

Gordons hand that is grabbing his sword handle shakes violently.

He tried to pull out his sword many times but he clenched his teeth and sat down in the end.

Seeing that, I finally decided to start the real negotiation.

Then let me state my demand. Release the family of your former strategist and swear that you will never get involved with her again.

..what kind of relationship do you have with Sonia?

Its not me. Egor took a liking to her so he asked me a favor for her freedom.

Hearing my demand, Gordon thinks a little and grins.

He then takes a piece of paper and writes something down.

This is the place where Sonias parents are being held. Im already done with her as a strategist anyway.

I see.

I receive the paper and stand up.

Detailed directions were written on the paper. They are probably held at the destination.

Judging so, I created a transfer gate again but before I passed through it, I paused.

Then.

Oh, let me tell you beforehand. Dont forget that you are dealing with two SS-rank adventurers here. Do consider what will happen if you lie to me here.

Wh, what are you talking about..?

It would be better if you give up on the idea of stalling me using fake information while using Sonia as a hostage to control Elder Egor. He is even more unreasonable than me you know?

Gordon begins to sweat profusely and doesnt say anything.

As I thought, he did think about such a shallow plan.

Well, its a Gordon-like plan. With him as her master, Sonias tactic would certainly be a waste.

Gordon clenches his teeth and writes down another location on a new piece of paper.

..the first one was where the family of the parents who raised her is being held. This one is the place where her parents are.

So you confined them separately huh. Well, its natural to spread the risk. But Im glad that you changed your mind. You just narrowly escaped death, literally. No matter how much you love war, a war with two SS-rank adventurers would be too much for you after all.

Gordon simply stares at the desk without saying anything.

Snorting at the scene, I entered the transfer gate and left the fort.